§ 28. Captain BERKELEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to make a, state- 1296 ment as to the Ruhr occupation and the reparations question; whether he has considered the propriety of raising these questions in the Council of the League of Nations; and, if so, what is his decision?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can make no statement at present. The House will agree that His Majesty's Government must first consider the conclusions at which the Reparation Commission may arrive after receiving the reports, on which so much depends, of the Commmittees of experts set up by the Commission to investigate Germany's financial situation, and thereafter open negotiations with the Governments concerned.
§ Mr. SHORTCan the right hon. Gentleman say how long it will be before we arrive at some satisfactory solution of this difficulty?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid I cannot. We are hurrying on as quickly as circumstances will permit.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs it the policy of the Government to demand from Germany the payment of claims for pensions allowances?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is a question on the subject later.
32. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the general lines for the settlement of the Palatinate which have been agreed to by Great Britain and which were referred to in a communication from a Foreign Office official which was read in another place by the Lord President of the Council on 13th February; and when such agreement was come to and with what Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is no formal agreement embodied in any one document, but, as a result of considerable correspondence between His Majesty's Government and the French and Belgian Governments, it has been decided to entrust to the representatives of the three Governments at Coblenz the task of supervising the gradual restoration of normal administration in the Palatinate and the disarming of all unauthorised persons. With the object of facilitating a settlement on these lines, the Rhineland High Commission has nominated an inter-Allied 1297 delegation which has proceeded to the Palatinate and is co-operating with the local authorities.
§ 66. Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government are in favour of demanding payment of any reparations from Germany?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHMay I ask the Prime Minister whether, in that case, his policy differs in any way from that of the late Government?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must not take up time in that way. It is a matter of opinion for himself.
§ Mr. DICKSONCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether he has had bequeathed to him by his predecessors any method of receiving reparations other than by goods or commodities, and, if not, will he continue taking ships?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not the occasion for such a discussion.